what it hath it must have from flesh and blood which is corruption or from the father it is in a state of death and all it hath is under the same before Christ hath raised it 1 Cor. 15.40 Flesh and blood shall not inherit the Kingdome of God 1 By Kingdom of God here is meant the Church as it doth comprehend the dispensations of the spirit within and of Christ in the Church Discipline without 2 By flesh as before is meant the body 3 By blood the soule of the naturall man 4 By these untill the spirit be quickened no man on earâ—â— can lay claime to the Kingdome of God but is by the institution of God debarred it and therefore faith one of the fruits of the spirit in those are quickened is said to be that by which men were admitted to the Kingdome Gal. 1.16 I consulted not with flesh and blood 1 I In his spirit now quickened when the Adam had no power over it to restrain it 2 This power is so far by the quickening of the spirit destroyed in him as that he immediately consults not with it but discovers it to be an enemy to Christ and his own felicity 3 By flesh and blood is meant his soul and body who had before conspired so together against the Lord and his truth 4 The revealâ—ng of Christ in him was the raising of his spirit from that death it lay in as it was said of Christ he was revealed to be the Son of God by his raising from the dead which in us is called the power of his resurrection Phil. 3.10 2 Cor. 5.16 We know no man according to the flesh 1 For blood it is said clearly God hath made all men of one blood hence the prohibition in marriages did arise to prevent its confusion A thing of speciall note 2 The flesh which is of a more externall concernment 1 He shews one man is not better according to the flesh then an other nor fitter for the Kingdome 2 It is prohibited by any prerogative it can have of the Kingdome 3 That it were the gifts of God not the inward endowments of nature or the outward beauty of the body was in the administrations of the Gospell to be respected Heb. 2.14 For as much as the Children are partakers of flesh and blood be also himselfe tooke part of the same that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death 1 By flesh and blood the natural mans body and soule are in this place set out of which Christ was a real partaker being made like to us in all things sin only excepted 2 As far as Christ was flesh and blood he suffered death 3 By this death of his he destroyed him that had the power of death which is the Devill which death was the pouring out of his soule to death 4 Without the right understanding in what and how Christ died no true nor right use of his death can be made The understanding of flesh and blood in this sence opens many hid Truths 1 That when the spirit of God names the body the soule is usually added to it when flesh then blood sets out the soule 2 As flesh and blood are together so soule and body are as appears in the Scripture dialect Note Moses sprinkling the people with the blood of the beasts called the blood of the Covenant sprinkled them with the soule of the beasts and the blood of the new Covenant is the blood of the soule of Christ though not the soule 1 Cor. 11.27 He is guilty of the body and blood of Christ 1 If by blood be meant the soul how necessary is the cup Christ gave not his flesh but blood also how doe the Papists abuse poor men in keeping it away 2 If by the blood be meant in the Scripture the soul multitudes of Scripture are not yet understood but in a carnal sence which wil spiritually in glory appear on their manifestation 3 Luk. 13.1 Pilats sin namely in mixing mans blood with the blood of the beasts which hee sacrificed to Satan aggravates the sinne 4 If the body comprehends the blood or the blood be spoke of as of the body only why are they thus distinguished in a word it is to set forth the Lords death who dyed in soul as well as body Job 2.4 All that a man hath will be give for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 his soule ver 6. He is in thy hand but spare his soule And this agrees with that of Christ What shall a man give in exchange of his soule Acts 20.24 I account not my soule dear to my selfe 1 The regenerate part speaks the spirit which was above the soul 2 It speaks its esteem of his soule 3 On what account it speaks so it would not speak so upon any other occasion whatsoever Ezek. 18.20 The soule that sinneth it shall dye Orig. 13 Tom. on John pag. 191. 1 The spirit dyed in Adam in Adam all die by that which is called Original sin 2 The soule that lives by another life in the body and is under the law Morall the transgressions whereof were death so that â—ere is intended the Lords mediate punishing of man with death by the Magistrate or else immediate by himselfe In V. 3. Ye shall not have occasion any more to use this proverb the Fathers have eate sowre grapes and the Childrens teeth are set on edge 1 This proverb was true in the spirits death by that sin is called originall in Adam 2 God saith it should be so no more 3 Now the next death is of the soule to which in the after Scripture he only alludes Ver. 4. All soules are mine as the soule of the Father so of the Son the soule that sinneth it shall dye 4 No soule by justice dyeth but for breach of the moral Law â—â—one which is properly its by act not imputation 5 It is clear each man hath a particular soul as well as spirit or â—ody if any two bodies had one soule it were the Father and â—on which the word doth say are distinct 6 If yee understand by death eternal death only then yee make void the Law of God 7 There is a notable distinction used by the Apostle 1 Cor. 6.18 Fornication is sin unto the body of all other sin and James sin ariseth from lust 1 Pet. 1.24 All flesh is grasse and all the glory of man as the flower of the grasse the grasse withereth and the flower thereof falleth 1 The body is the flesh the grasse 2 The soule the flower and glory of man 3 As the grasse withereth the flower falleth 4 The end of the one and the other seem to differ as they differ in themselves but fade and fall together 5 The grasse and flower are of one nature and subject to change though differing in their forme and beauty Object 1. 1 Pet. 4.19 Commit the keeping of their soules to him in well doing Hence men are to commit their soules
nothing which she had in her blood I might on this subject exceed were it to the purpose propounded Vers 5. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 In the casting forth of seed was thy soule where is the male in coition with the female Ver. 6. He is in his blood in the womb when God first gave life to him as to Adam Blood is the seat of the Soule and so related to and concerned in it that great are the mysteries of it as concerning Jesus Christ THe new Testament was made in the blood of Christ Heb. 13.20 Luk. 22.20 1 Cor. 11.25 1 Without shedding of blood is no remission 2 The blood of Jesus cleanseth the conscience Heb. 9.14 and from all sin 1 John 17. Rev. 1.5 3 Heb. 10.19 20. By his blood we have an admission to God 4. Vers 22. Water is for the body baptism blood the conscience 5. The use whereof was set out in sprinkling pots and cups Heb. 10.22 1 Pet 1.2 this speaks peace Heb. 12.13 Note in this was the glorious act of redemption wrought and justice more excellently satisfied then in what was done on the body 1 God requiring blood for blood when a man was to dye for staying of a man so now man being for sin to dye he cannot be saved but by the death of his Son for Man 2 He requires soule for soule which are indeed the same and without this there is no remission Ap. the necessity of this knowledge I commend to all to judge of 2 King 10.24 Gen. 9.5 6. Exod. 21.23 typified in the beasts slaine for sacrifice Deut. 19.21 1 John 5.7 3 Three beare witnesse in heaven in the God-head the Father the Word the Spirit 4 Three bear witnesse in earth in the manhood of Christ the Spirit the Water the Blood Now these three accordingly are applied by Christ to man for and towards his restauration descending to him in which as Eliah 2 King 4.34 Christ applyed himselfe to man to restore him 1 Using his Spirit to quicken the dead spirit of man by which the Lord is called a quickening Spirit 2 After that hee applyes the water answering to his humane nature to wash the body by baptism 3 The blood in the Lords Supper and in redemption by his blood which is the soule part of Christ to cleanse the Conscience John 19.34 35. 1 If we have not the use of Christ in these severall ways as he hath appointed to communicate himselfe to man our faith is vain 2 This of the spirit is all that and the first only necessary thing to be apprehended for the flesh profiteth nothing it is the spirit quickeneth Joh. 6.63 3 The end of grace here is that men may be raised in spirit and be partaker of the first resurrection Rev. 20.6 unlesse this be done Christ doth nothing and this is to be done on the dead spirit or there is nothing done 4 As the spirit hath its good by Christs Spirit so the soule by Christs soule and flesh by Christs flesh 5 The good of each was properly to arise from the severall parts of Christ to those in man as the sinner needed them Christ being proportioned and fitted to be a perfect Saviour Object Gen. 35 18. As her soul was going forth for she died The soul as the spirit goeth forth of the body at death Resp 1. The dissolution of that unity was between spirit and soule and soule and body as the cause of death 2 It is like the soule goeth forth with the spirit though it is not said to goe to God but dyeth or sleeps as with the soule follows after the life and the body dyeth Object The soule and the spirit are one I Answer that is against Scripture Object As the spirit goeth forth to God so the soule Resp The Scriptures say not such a word of the soule The word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the new Testament so often used hath a notable significancy in it to set this out for it signifies man the whole at death to suffer a resolution of parts the Spirit divided from Soule and Soule from Body in the corrupting thereof That the Soule suffers not hell Torments untill the last Judgement ROm. 2.8 speaks of the day of wrath which the soule that is impenitent treasures up wrath by rejecting Gods Counsell 2 This day is called the day of the revelation of the righteous Judgement of God which must be understood the last and great day of Judgement when and not before the judgement of God is revealed 3 Ver. 6. Then every one shall receive according to their works Ver. 7. When our mortality shall put on immortality and not before 4. Ver. 9. Then and not before shall be tribulation and anguish on every soule of man that doth evill the Jew first and then the Gentile Wisdom 3.1 6. By so much authority as it hath being Apocryphal proves it which whiles it agrees with the word I prefer before any authority that is meer humane Under the old Testament these were set forth distinct in Christ and so in us 1 The Goat was slain and sacrificed the body 2 His blood poured out the soule 3 The scape-Goat went away into the wildernesse the spirit which is not under the power of man Obj. This Goat is meant the divine Nature Resp 1. They were two Goats of the same nature and did represent the same person of the humanity only part as the body and soule dyed part was beyond the power of man and death 2 How unpossible the divine glory of the Divine nature of the Lord Jesus could admit of any shadow of change as to bee set out dividedly under the representation of a Goat the note of reprobates I leave all to judge To reconcile the seeming differences it is first necessary they be stated and compared 1. Part of the difference is about the place or ubi where they are which are set downe in Scripture 1 To be in the grave 2 To be under the Altar 3 To be in the body 4 To be in heaven 1 Note the first two are thus reconciled those that die the naturall death of all and are interred their soules are in grave 2 Those whose blood as that of the slain beasts was for Christ poured out at the feet of the altar and had no grave for their bodies nor burial their soules are under the altar and not as others the manner of their souls presence with Christ is a cry against those that shed their blood in which the soul blood are distinguished 3 As Paul 2 Cor. 12.2 Whether in the body or out of the body I cannot tell yet by what is said Gen. 35.18 it goeth out of the body when it hovers over it and lieth down with it in the grave or after enters into it when dead and sleeps in it the spirit and life departed from it not being willing to be alone may return to the body as before it not vanishing as the life nor going to God
weep the child is not dead but sleepeth In Ver. 35. the Text saith she is dead And Ver. 40. They derided Christ for saying she was not dead but slept may they say doe yee call this a sleep it is a deadly one know yee no better when a man sleeps from when he is dead for which they were shut out and not suffered to see the salvation of God 1 Christ he speaks here of their sorrow and howling 2 Of her soules estate not bodies and that they had no cause to lament thus for her shee was not of the number of dead soules that dyed without hope but of the living soules that sleep by Jesus 3 That this is the mind of the spirit in this place ver 41. he saith 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which shews she was in body dead and was raised by the Lord Jesus not only from the place she lay down on but from the dead 1 Thes 4.14 16. Doe set forth a distinction as in the body and soul so in Christs vertue extended to them 1 The souls are said to sleep 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 per Jesum by or through Jesus if it were not for Jesus they would be as the rest not asleep but dead where now they are not dead but sleep 2 The bodies they are dead 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Christ Jesus is applyed to the soules salvation and Christ to the body though elsewhere this distinction is not used but 1 Cor. 15.16 If the dead are not raised Christ is not raised Ver. 18. those that fleep in Christ are destroyed here the sleepers or souls are said to sleep in Christ Resp The Apostle 1 Thes 4.14 Saith by Christ setting out the efficient and meritorious cause of mans sleep to be Jesus who delivered it from its death and gave it sleep 2 The soule may be said as well as body to sleep in Christ by the power of Jesus salvation 3 This here of 1 Cor. 15.18 is a supposition 1 Shewing that if they slept in Christ and rose not they slept not by Jesus they had not effectually salvation by him 2 The soule and body were destroyed 3 The dead and sleepers are distinguished in the 16 and 18. verses Note only in the Epistle of the Thessalonians he speakes to men beleeving and assenting in this of the Corinthians to men doubting questioning contradicting which is the ground of that difference seems to be in his speech 1 Cor. 15.20 Note by this only that 1 Cor. 15.20 is most significantly opened where it is said Christ is the first fruits of them that sleep That is Christ in his soule was the first was raised from sleep and entered into heaven and ascended to his Father with his dead body made alive 1 Where the controversie of Enoch and Elias going to Heaven before Christs resurrection is to be allowed of without questioning this Scripture-Truth for it was of those that sleepe Christ was the first fruits he saith not of others that slept not as Enoch and Elias did not 2 That this must be the soule not the spirit for that goeth to God immediately of all Saints 3 Nor of the body that is dead in the grave nor is he said to be the first fruits of the dead because the souls not the bodys estate distinguisheth the Saints from unbeleevers in themselves the one is as wel dead rots and corrupts as the other but the soul of one sleeps the other is dead Object The soule while in the body is called the souls but when it departs it is called the spirit because distinct from the body Resp The soule is called the soule after death as well as before 2 The spirit is called the spirit in the body and out of it when joyned to the soule and body 3 It is not one thing in the body and another out of it And here I cannot passe by a mystery not yet clear to the world in expressing the word for the dead in the plurall 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1 Sometimes as alluding to mankind among which Christ lay and from among whom Christ was raised 2 Othertimes as Rom. 1.4 being declared to be the son of God in power according to the spirit of sanctification through the resurrection of the deads that is his dead body and dead soule 3. Luk. 7.15 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The dead sate up speaking only of the body that part sate up and therefore expressed in the singular number 4 When Christ is said to rise from the dead in the plural or any other I understand their soules rising from dead soules with whom their souls were being in their state as of one of them And I understand their bodies rising from dead bodys with whom they were as one of them during their estate of death 5 This I take thus to be cleared man consists of spirit soule and body who have differing lives subject to differing deaths from which deaths man by Christ comes to be redeemed in differing ways by differing means 6 In our translations deads should be put for dead when expressed in the plurall and in the singular when by the spirit set downe so in the originall Application of this point of the blood of Christ as it concerns the Soul of Christ it is of admirable use and concernment to us 2. General As Christ communicates his Spirit so his Body Matth. 26.26 Mark 14.22 Luke 22.19 1. 1 Cor. 10.16 The Bread that we break c. 2. 1 Cor. 11.29 Unbelievers discerned not the Lords Body in the Bread and it was the sin of the Capernaits that cry out How can this man give us of his flesh to eat 3. For not discerning the Lords Body they were guilty that did partake of the Sacrament of the afflictings and tormentings the Jews put him to 1 Cor. 11.27 4. The necessity of its being received when in the way of God because the Lord enjoyned it to be done in remembrance of him And farther John 6.53 If ye eat not the flesh and drink not the blood of the Son of Man ye have no life in you vid. Vers 54,55 Note The flesh is communicated to our flesh as flesh as his Spirit to our spirit but the flesh without the spirit profiteth nothing or the Spirit quickneth the dead spirit and the flesh feedeth those made alive when living not before 3. General Christ having a Spirit and Body communicates them and shews the necessity of our partaking of them Quaere Whether Christ having a Soule it be not as necessary we be partakers of that as of the other parts of Christ if we expect Salvation by him 2. Whether the soul be not communicated in the blood of Christ or whether there be any other way of communion of it 3. Whether our communion of the blood of Christ be not of inestimable price use and comfort to us and to be remembred of us 4. Whether his soul was not poured out to dâ—ath as well
be uttered Ver. 27. He that searcheth the heart knoweth what is in the mind of the Spirit because he makes intercession for the Saints according to the will of God Note Where by the Spirit and Spirit it selfe the Spirit of Christ sent forth of God into the hearts of Saints be not intended is commended to your judgements to consider of or where the Spirit the Holy 1 Because here is no especial epithite to it as usually given to God the Spirit 2 It is the spirit of intercession which is the Spirit of Christ stirring up in us sighs and groans as in him 3 Bearing our infirmities which is done by Christ as man Heb. 4.15 and c. 5 2. Act. 9 4. 4 God the searcher of the heart is put as distinct from the Spirit of Christ in the heart who is said to intercede according to the Will of God 5 This Spirit is not ours as it is not Gods for saith he Wee know not what we should pray for as we ought whereby we is meant the whole regenerate man who without Christs Spirit assist him in prayer knows not how to pray nor for what to pray as he ought Appli If this be truth the Doctrine taught makes Christ void and in him God is put off from us because none can come to the Father but by him Illust. To set before your eyes the spirits resurrection see it fulfilled in Cyrus a heathen lying under a dead spirit when quickened works wonderfull things Hag. 1.15 2 Chron. 36.22 he is not that man he was before The excellency of Christs Spirits operation in the Elect is wonderful and precious 1 The Spirit of life in Jesus Christ gave the new Law or Covenant as Moses the Mediator of the Old gave that by which we are freed from Moses Law called the Law of sin and death Rom. 8.2 2 It is called the Law of the spirit of life 1 None being under this Law untill quickened by the Spirit of life but were under the law of death 2 It is the law of the spirit of life in which those made alive must walk in and live under it as its Law as Moses Disciples under its 3 This Law was for the spirit to walke with God in when men are said to walk in the spirit and live in the spirit when men are onely said to please God 4 That this is meant of ours and Christs Spirit because opposed to the flesh which cannot walke in this Law Rom. 8.8 Note It is one means by which the Spirit of Christ is distinguished from God the Spirit is that which commeth by hearing Gal. 3.2 5. which differs far from that Act. 10.44 called the Holy Ghost said to fall on them having the gift of tongues The Spirit of God after is given for confirmation of such as doe beleeve Eph. 4.30 and manifested it selfe in dreams visions tongues discerning of spirits prophesie The Spirit of Christ worketh faith love desires Gal. 5.22 which Origen would have to be meant of the regenerate man 's own Spirit which indeed is a fruit of the Spirit of Christ in us for of our selves we are not able to think a good thought It is Christ that worketh all in all Illust Act. 8.12 People of Samaria Beleeved Phillip which was the act of the spirit of Christ in them who yet ver 16. are said none of them to have received the Holy Ghost though by the first the Spirit of Christ they were baptized and so said to be Christs ver 16. after which ver 17. they were established having the Holy Spirit powred out upon them by the laying on of hands by the Apostle the one is mediately by hearing given men the other since the Apostles daies immediately of God 1 To this being of Christ in his Spirit in the Saints the Apostle eminently alludes saying Christ in you is the hope of glory as Col. 1.27 now if he have the Spirit of God in him God is in him if of Christ Christ is in him 2 By the Spirit of Christ before he hath the Spirit of God in him he hath the hope of glory but not the seale of glory which distinguisheth the spirits in their distinct operations 3 Thus the Apostle 2 Cor. 13.3 Since yee seeke a proofe of Christ speaking in me which to you ward is not weak but is mighty in you Ver. 5. Know you not Jesus Christ is in you except you be Reprobates Rom. 8.9 10. If any have not the Spirit of Christ he is none of his And if Christ be in you that is by his Spirit as before the body is dead because of sinne but the spirit that is mans spirit is life being quickened because of righteousnesse Gal. 2.20 I live yet not I but Christ liveth in me the life that I now live is by faith in the Son of God which comes by hearing and is an effect of the Spirit of Christ sent out of God the Spirit as well as Father unto the heart of sons Ephes 3.17 Christ lives in the heart by faith 4 The use of this spirit is hinted at Phil. 1.19 This shall turn to my salvation through your prayers and the supply of the Spirit of Christ Phil. 4.13 I can do all things through Christ that strengtheneth me Act. 16.7 Some translations read The Spirit of Jesus suffered them not 5. Joh. 3.5 Except a man be born of Water and of the Spirit hee cannot enter into the Kingdom of God Here by Spirit I understand the Spirit of Christ by which he is one Spirit with the Lord and grafted unto him by baptisme Reas 1. It is not said the Holy Spirit but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the Spirit only as before 2. Ver. 12. In this saying Christ tels them he told them of earthly things it being to be done by the quickening Spirit of Christs humanity assisted thereunto by his divine power 3 Hence it is the Scripture saith he that is in Christ is a new creature 4. Vers 6. That is born of the Spirit signifies that regeneration is by Christs Spirit onely not of our Spirits The Spirit of Christ working Faith and Obedience to Christ in Baptisme in which is regeneration Application 1. Men are taught that there is no other Spirit but God the Spirit who worketh these and all that have any of these have the gift of the Spirit of God 2 The Spirit of Christ which worketh these is not known men oppose against it and deny it to be who yet would be Christians 3 Hence as Christ said to his Disciples so the men of this age know not what spirits they are of that have the Spirit of Christ in them and not the Spirit of God 4 Few men have the Spirit of God and they that have it have it in a hidden way which is by dreams and visions being all that as I know of as yet accompanies the gift of the Spirit of God in these daies to which I might say something or may do when
this generation is made fit for it Act. 2.17 18. By which men shall prophesie I speak not this to glory in but to glorifie God in it and in his accomplishing his truth of which Husse had sweet experiences as his Letters testifies cited by Fox 1 I speak not this to countenance any fancies or corruptions among men try the spirits if they are of God Therefore 2 I speak it that men take heed least they scoffe at the grace of God and his gifts as those Act. 2.13 a worke which is done to the griefe of the spirit in grosse manner amongst us and that among the learned for which as a judgement it is kept from the world and men hindred from looking to God for it 3 I speak it to incourage those that have it to see if they have the spirit of Christ and then to look on this as the seale of God to that Christ hath done in thee and on thee to thy exceeding joy 4 When God shall restore the Church and this glorious mercy in its glory to men how will they then wonder at the enmity and evil that was in the world reigning among those men who professed themselves Saints and Sons of God having the spirit in them Note Because man is carnall and needs helps even in these that are comparatively but earthly things compared with other divine mysteries of God and Christ I commend these considerations 1 The unknown excellency of the spirit of a man as in Paul 1 Cor. 5.3 4. For I verily as absent in body but present in spirit have judged already as though I were present Note Though absent in body yet was he present in spirit though his body being at Phillippi was one hundred of miles from them 2 His presence in spirit was such as that it was as sufficient as if he had been bodily judging the man with them Vers 4. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ when you are gathered together and my spirit with the power of our Lord Jesus Colos 2.5 For though I am absent in the flesh yet am I present in the Spirit with you a place in which Paul never was ver 1. joying and beholding your order and stedfastnesse of faith in Christ Now thus far the spirit of a man may doe even be present with men afar off from his body and joy in their good and suffer in their sufferings though it can but look on it it is the Spirit of the Lord Jesus that acts in and over all onely who is not onely a spectator or stander by in his spirituall presence among the Saints but walks among the seven golden Candlesticks and acts and knocks c. Againe 1 Cor. 14.32 The spirit of the Prophets is subject to the Prophets First Conclusion That there is a notable place here to say with Solomon Who knoweth the spirit of a man Eccles 3.21 2 If in the spirit of man is such an unknown excellency how then is the Spirit of Christ 3 God making Christ and fitting him with such a Spirit by which he might raise the dead spirit and communicate himselfe to it and be alway present with it through the operation and assistance of the infinite God dwelling in him 1 Cor. 15. ver 45. God making this the end of making Christ Isa 11.23 4 Whiles Christ John 17.11 saith I am no more in the world that is in soule and body yet he saith ver 23. I in them and thou in me which must be in his Spirit speaking of himselfe as distinct from God in the person of the Mediator Of the naturall spirits of Men. THese are differing in themselves the bodies differ not in height beauty and strength in quality and condition of constitution as a Gyant from a Dwrafe as a strong man differs from him that is never so weak and the most beautifull and personable man differs not from the most deformed Blackmore so much as one natural mans spirit from anoâ—â—â—r Some are strong some weak some rash some patient some proud some humble some cruel some meek some well some sick some high some low In which corruptly remain the appearances of the seven Spirits of God Isa 11.2 Wisdom Might Knowledge Understanding as a capacity to receive them or the Spirit of Christ in whom all these treasures are Of whose unknown worth the Scriptures speak Eccles 3.21 Who knoweth the spirit of a man Eccles 11.5 There is not to thee the knowledge of the way of the spirit nor how the bones of him doth grow that are in the womb c. which proves it is spoke of the naturall spirit of man Note it clears that objection that may be made How doth the spirit of a man his body being in one place come to be in another And shews 1 The spirit hath a way of its own that the body hath not 2 The way of it is unknown to any even the wisest 3 Especially to those who know not that they have a spirit at all in them 4 To all such who though they know they have it in them yet it is dead and never found the use of them Note The use of the spirit is excellent Prov. 18.14 it being the spirit of naturall man that bears his infirmities as the Spirit of Christ in the beleever bears his The good man is said to have another spirit as differing from the natural mans Numb 14.24 compared with Chap. 13.30 31. shew how the spirit in a man doth change him and make him differ from others It is a great question may bee made Whether Christs humane Spirit was not in being before it was joyned to the flesh soule in the Virgins wombe 1. 1 Pet. 1.11 The Spirit of Christ is said to have been in the Prophets of old which is that part of the Lord which was oynted as distinct from the anointing of the Holy Spirit 2 Because it is said the spirit of Christ is the spirit of Prophesie 3. John 3.13 The Son of man is said as man to come down from heaven which was that part of him called his Spirit which also now whiles he is on earth is said to be in heaven as the Son of man 4 The God-head cannot be said to go a loce ad locum 5 The Scripture speaks of Christ in his being to the Saints long before his incarnation Isa 63.9 6 How Christ is Rev. 1.4 He which is and was and is to come c. ver 8. that he is Alpha and Omega 7 That he is the first fruits and the foundation of the Church 8. 1 Cor. 15.47 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 How he is said to be from heaven and in what and how to be the second Man and whether he had not in spirit a being when first promised Adam 9 Before Abraham was I am saith the Lord speaking as Mediator Joh. 10.58 Vers 56. Abraham rejoyced to see my day and saw it and was glad Ver. 57. Thou art not fifty years old and hast thou
seen Abraham that this is only fulfilled in the Divine nature of Christ is the question 10 The Rabbies understand that alway the word Adonai is distinct in the Old Testament from Jehova in the persons signified by them God and Christ unlesse some other divine Epithite be added 11. That it was the Lord Christ appeared in the form of man before he had flesh 12 He is said to be the same yesterday and to day and for ever he was man yesterday by having mans spirit before he took flesh and when he had flesh and since viz. that is the Lord was Mediator for poor man before and since Heb. 13.8 he was in flesh among us 13 He is said to be the beginning of the creation of God Revel 3.14 14 Nor is it any where said God inspired into him his Spirit but the Spirit overshadowed the Virgin Luk. 1.35 Object 2 Cor. 11.4 For if he that commeth preacheth another Jesus whom we have not preached or if yee receive another spirit which we have not received or another Gospel which yee have not accepted yee might well bear with him so that it seems the spirit Christians have is but one Resp 1. He speaks of the preaching Jesus 2 The receiving the Spirit by that preaching 3 That that was preached of Jesus was the Gospel Note Which shews that the Spirit here was that came by preaching and by that means was ordinarily received which was the Spirit of Christ not that called the Holy Spirit of God which is also one Spirit proper to the person of Christ for excellency power life and perfection 3 That the Spirit of God and Christ in Scripture are variously distinguished I have proved before 4 Christ was not man without the one nor God without the other 5 The work of the God-head in Christ was to make effectuall the work of the Spirit to man that was humane in him Hence is he said to offer up himself on the eternal spirit to God distinguishing God the Spirit in him from that spirit of man in himselfe Heb. 9.8 6 To adde one place more for distinction Act. 5.3 Why hath Satan filled thy heart to lie to the Holy Ghost Ver. 10. How is it that yee have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord. Annanias bringing not the full price after he had promised it to God and saying it was the whole to the Church brake his vow to God and lyed to the Holy Spirit he being by the Spirit moved hereto to a spiritual end Saphira being privy to the deceit onely but did not come with it before the Church with her Husband the evill of the fact was mainly in her Husband again had she not been demanded she would it is like have been silent in it the Text onely saith she was privy to it not consenting 1 Note hence the Word saith the being privy and the concealment of the fact was a tempting of the Spirit of the Lord. 2 Note The lying to the Holy Spirit was a more dreadful evill of a higher nature more immediately against God then this of tempting the Spirit of the Lord In the lesser evill was one in the greater the other in the private the one in the publick sin the other 3 Note Satan filled Annanias heart but after that Annanias tempted Saphira who agree together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord Mark 2.8 4 Note Here is the ground of the fearfulnesse of the judgement because it was committed against the Spirit of God and Christ and their operations in them Object John 1.13 1 Joh. 3.9 and 4.7 and 5.1.4.18 Men are said to be born of God therefore the Spirit Joh. 3.5 must be by the Spirit of God which is the Spirit of Christ and cannot be understood that the humane spirit of Christ hath any hand herein Resp These are excellently distinguished and cleared Tit. 3.5 by the washing of regeneration Mark there is water and the Spirit of Christ for without the Spirit can be no regeneration 2 He comes and after tells us of renewing of the Holy Spirit when the Spirit of God renews in man in a more divine way this their regeneration in them Ephes 4.23 beleevers are to be renewed in the Spirit of their mind 3 In the work of the Spirit of Christ they are said to be Christs 1 Cor. 6.17 Rom. 8.9 and having the Spirit of God Gods Rom. 4 18. Ephes 1.13 4 These are more clearly spoke of and joyned together Joh. 17.10 all mine that have the worke of my Spirit quickening them are thine thy Spirit renewing that Spirit of the mind within them 5 That of Joh. 3.3 of being born from above is one thing that of vers 5. is another of being born of water and the Spirit 1 By the one men see the Kingdom of God vers 3. 2 By the other men enter the Kingdom vers 5. 3. Vers 12. distinguish them that are Vers 5. said to be earthly things because done on earth by the Spirit of the Lord in the use of means and not comparable for it is divine Nature and glory with the other 4 The other is from above that is God and Heaven and called in comparison hereof heavenly things Object 1 Cor. 12.3 No man speaking in the Spirit of God saith Jesus is accursed nor is any able to call Jesus Lord but in the Holy Spirit therefore it is the Holy Spirit men are born of Resp 1. Here is spoken of the first part of Gods Spirit on man which is to discover the things of the Kingdome that so they be brought to beleeve them without which they call not Christ Lord and having this they cannot dispise the Lord. 2 By which beleeving the Spirit of Christ is introduced 3 After all which the beleevers being baptized the Spirit was given to renew that Spirit of the mind that was in them by which the things of God came to be apprehended more divinely and clearly thus the Disciples after their knowing Christ Joh. 14.26 by the Spirit knew him more divinely The Spirit of Christ perfects in men the image of the Lord in the conformity of his conversation to the Gospel be ye followers of me as I am of Christ and learn of me saith the Lord Jesus I am humble and meek which is called a putting on of Christ The Spirit of Christ quickens the spirit when the Spirit of God renewes in man the image of God lost and again indues him with his likenesse by which he is a new creature to his God Hence Coloss 3.4 When Christ who is our life shall appear c. Vers 3. Our life is hid with Christ before he says they were dead that is with Christ and now are alive with Christ and their life was hid with Christs life which lived in them and quickened them which the Apostle Paul clears by his manner of speaking Gal. 2.20 I am crucified with Christ neverthelesse I live that is spiritually which as if he had said amisse he